‘Red Light’ is the forthcoming single from Vinyl Jacket and looks set to continue the success of last year straight into 2012 and beyond.

Following debut ‘Painting Stations’ and follow up single ‘Koala’, ‘Red Light’ has already received considerable airplay and has added very nicely to the momentum already built amongst fans and critics.

Since forming in 2010, Vinyl Jacket have already supported Hockey, General Fiasco and The Holloways and provided us with a teaser taster with their self-titled debut EP last summer. They are only just beginning; hailing from a small village in Northumberland, this young quintet are bringing a much needed dose of upbeat but unconventional pop to music’s frontline and a set of speakers near you.

‘Red Light’ is released on 5th March.

Jumpcuts is the brainchild of lead singer Andrew Shankman, who plays with a rotating group of musicians. The last show at Joe Squared was packed and the band killed it. Give them a listen and we’ll see you tnght:

Also on the bill is solo artist Brad Hamblin, Icicuts and The Sneaks:

In the spirit of St Valentine’s The Super Happy Fun Club are spreading a little love amongst music lovers with a track available to download now, completely free. ‘Way Back’ is the ideal substitute for those of you tired of the predictable chocolates/flowers/jewellery routine…well maybe not jewellery.

The Super Happy Fun Club are a five-piece rock outfit who hail from Chicago. They are currently recording the follow up to their debut release and are scheduled to tour the UK in late 2012.

‘Way Back’ is their way of saying ‘I Love You’ to all their UK fans after a very successful set of shows on British soil last year.

Unofficially released in December 2011, Her Soul is an exhilarating sample of Shades Of Jade’s soul-charged indie pop, showcasing their contradictory blend of dirty rock guitars and sultry, haunting vocals.

Frontwoman Jade Bennett has enjoyed previous success as a solo artist and her unique voice has drawn favourable comparisons to Florence + The Machine, Kelly Clarkson and Skunk Anansie. The band are busy touring in promotion of their debut offering and have the potential to have a very successful 2012.

We’re starting off with a little help for our friend!

Friday:

3620 Falls Rd.

Baltimore, MD 21211

After givin’ a little bit, let Hampden give something back. Stick around for The Water’s CD release show!

Instrumental-Rock Duo  THE WATER celebrates the release of their debut full-length SCANDALS AND ANIMALS
available January 31st on SCENIC ROUTE RECORDS.

Stay for special guests YEVETO!

FREE!
Doors @ 10pm
ALL AGES

Golden West Cafe:

1105 w.36th St.

Baltimore, MD 21211

Yep! ’bout that time again!

Time to Mod up at Save Your Soul

DJ NAME NAMES aka DC punk legend IAN SVENONIUS (ex Nation of Ulysses, The Make-Up, Weird War, current Chain & the Gang) joins hosts ROBERT FEARLESS & KING GILBERT for the greasiest dance party in town! PLUS! Baltimore’s own XANDER CHRISS spins the 9p-10p.

Lith Hall

851 Hollins St.

Baltimore, MD 21201

Kathleen Edwards

w/ Hannah Georgas

7:00 PM Doors

Tickets

9:30 Club

Peace Out.

At the beginning of the week, we asked friends, followers and “LIKErs” to come up with the top ten Best of Black Cinema. This is the result. Let’s get down baby….

10. Do the Right Thing (1989 dir. Spike Lee). Lets face it. This is the movie that white America fears. Lee uses a microcosm of BK as a metaphor for our national racism. You can never stop watching this movie. And if you’ve never seen it, shame the fuck on you…
Mookie rules!

9. Glory (1989. dir. Ed Zwick) Believe it or not, finding a film that focuses on black history is not as easy as you’d think. For every one Glory or Red Tails, there’s a bunch of Driving Miss Daisys (Bagger Vance anyone?) which makes this film all the more important. Zwick does not shy away from the racism inflicted on black troops, a new concept during the Civil War, as well as the privations of war in general. Oh yeah, it’s got Denzel so yeah. There’s that! This is a must see. And if you don’t drop a tear at the end, you’re a cold mutha fukka…

8. Remember the Titans (2000. dir Boaz Yakin) say what you want about Disney, but this movie had to be made and they have a knack for making good sports films. Titans stars Denzel (who pretty much pwns our list) as head coach Herman Boone who takes over a Virginia high school football team its first year after desegregation. You can feel the hate for Coach Boone in this story.

7. In the Heat of the Night (1967. dir Norman Jewison) Because of this scene (check Sidney’s shrug at the end):

6. Shaft (1971. dir Gordon Parks) While director Marvin Van Peebles’ Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song may have opened the door to black cimema, Shaft’s director and Life Magazine photojournalist Gordon Parks opened the door for black photographers everywhere. This is his first film and it was a HUGE hit. Parks broke boundaries in both the photographic and cinematic arts. Without Shaft, Parks’ name could have faded into history. Incidentally, Shaft was created by a white dude who has since been honored by the NAACP for the creation of the first real black private eye. Shaft started as a book series by author Ernest Tidyman. Check it here.

5. Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip (1982) This live concert film by one of America’s greatest comedians launched a thousand funny careers from Eddie (watch the clip and think of Eddie’s red jump suit in Delirious) to Chris. Pryor never did find a niche in films, although Blue Collar is one of his best, but when you watch him on stage on the big screen you’re watching an American genius at work.

4. Wild Style (1984. dir. Charles Herndon) We’re always surprised at the yung’uns who have never seen THE movie about the birth of hip-hop and street art. Before Beat Street and Breakin’, Wild Style featured legends like Grand Master Flash, Coldcrush Brothers etc.. WS should be shown in every music history class. It’s a little hammy on the drama, but it’s THE film to check out if you’re interested in the beginning of the hip-hop nation.
(one of the greatest rap b-ball battles ever)

Fuck it. We’ll give Wild Style another shout. SO much love here:

3. Killer of Sheep (1979. dir Charles Burnett) Burnett is the James Baldwin of filmmaking. This is one of the most important black films ever made. It’s focus the black Los Angeles ghetto of Watts in the mid-1970s. Not to be missed if you’ve never seen it.

2. Boyz in the Hood (1991. dir John Singleton) NWA. South Central LA. Cube. Gangs. It’s all here. Boyz ripped open the reality of what was going on in S.Cen and exposed it to the nation. Truly one of the most important films about a community ever made. It’s STILL hard to watch. Classic.

1. Malcolm X (1994. dir Spike Lee) No matter what you think of this film in terms of historical accuracy, you cannot not help being blown away by the performance of Denzel Washington as the polarizing black leader. If anything, this film and the controversy surrounding it will have you picking up Malcolm X’s autobiography and getting the real deal. It’s sad that there are no other definitive films about other black leaders…

And just because. A relevant message from Chuck D and friends.

SIB will be posting musings, advice, and her thoughts here on a weekly basis. Be warned, this IS a sex column and although there won’t be any steamy visuals (it’s not porn, ya know?) the text WILL be NSFW.

Happy New Year my lovelies! I know it is a month late, but better late than never, right? Have you missed me? My inbox certainly thinks so! Let’s get right to the nitty gritty and answer some of your more burning questions, shall we?

So, my partner has never masturbated. She seems to have a lot of yucky feelings associated with it. For better or worse, we both came to our first sexual experiences in a too young and wrong way. I’m not sure if this has had some affect on her feelings about self love, but it wouldn’t surprise me. I think we have a pretty good sex life; we both get off pretty much 75% of the time. We’ve never used toys, but recently purchased one. I’m looking for tips to make this first experience wow, not whoah.  

– Anonymous From Tumblr

I think it is great that you are willing to help her over this obstacle. Although it is a strong possibility that her mental block against masturbation is from what you described, I have learned that many women have issues and hang-up’s when it comes to this topic. In our society, at a young age, men are almost expected to start masturbating and exploring. It is the right of passage and the topic of many a teen movie. There is the wet dream, the masturbating to Victoria’s Secret catalogs, the quest to lose his virginity, and he is expected to be a strong, sexual being. However, women are raised to almost the opposite. They are taught to appear chaste and many are told that any self-pleasure is not only wrong, but completely evil. They are to be pursued, not to pursue. They are to stay a virgin and maintain their innocence and purity. This is something that can really mess with a girl’s mind. She comes to experience the sexual thoughts and urges just like the young boys coming of age, but she is instructed to repress, not to express them. That repression can instill shame and so many women as they get older carry this into their sexual relationships.

To start to assist your lover to be more comfortable with her own body, you need to make sure she is relaxed and establish trust. Since you are already dating and seem to have a healthy sex life, this shouldn’t be too hard. Begin to slowly finger her and tell her how she feels to you. Ask her to direct your touch to what feels best for her. Then, once she is getting more aroused, take her finger and along with yours, both of you keep fingering her vagina. Because your hand is still there, this might make it less mentally awkward for her. Tell her that her fingers can do just what yours can and that you want her to learn how to please herself. Let her know how happy it makes you to see her excited and satisfied. After a few times of “assisting” her in masturbating, she should feel a little less self-conscious.

As for introducing a toy, the most important thing when experimenting with anything new is to start slowly. Let her know that you want to share this with her, that it isn’t just about your pleasure and that hers is as equally important. Women like to know that you just aren’t out to get off or put your own kinky spin on something. We need to know that we are involved in your thoughts and your desires. As I have also stressed many times before, communication is critical. Talk with her, ask her what she likes or doesn’t like. Let her know how you are feeling as you watch her come closer to orgasm. Let her feel her own sexuality and power. Almost any woman needs that reassurance, no matter how confident we are in our daily lives. To overcome any mental block of sexuality, a woman, more than anything wants to be desired. If you can show her that you want her more than anyone else, and can reassure her that her comfort and pleasure are your main concern, I think your satisfaction rating will increase and you both will be able to enjoy sex that much more. Good luck! And, if you are comfortable with it, please let me know how things work out.

I really like this guy that I know who works with my best friend. We all go out to happy hours, dinners, and parties and the two of us always wind up hanging out most of the time and having great talks. We have a lot in common and get along great. We can also tend to flirt sometimes, but I then I things change and I wonder if he is really flirting or just being nice. He starts to really take an interest, complimenting me, joking about times we’ve spent together, etc. Just when I think that we may be moving to another level, he always brings up some girl he went on a date with, talks about how hot another woman who he sees at the bar is, or starts to flirt with someone else. Am I reading into this? Is he really interested in me?

-Confused in Canton, 30

Oh wow I wish I could tell you that I could read the mind of a man! They always say women are so hard to figure out, but men – you are no roadmap yourselves. Some guys are just natural flirts, and other times their flirting really does mean something. It could be as simple as he sees you as a good friend and likes to hang out with you and trusts you to confide in about his dating life and likes. If this is the case, you have fallen into the “friends” zone. Trust me, I am almost always falling into this one and it is next to impossible to climb out of. Once he sees you as the “buddy” or the “pal”, he more than likely is not going to want to move past that into dating.  Lots of us enter into relationships with the fear in the back of our heads, that if things don’t work out, we lose a friend. People don’t like to take risks like that most of the time. He could really be interested and just as nervous as you. Not their smartest move, but some guys brag about other women and their “options” to entice you more. They think it makes them look “studly” or desirable. They hope that we think that if so many other women want him, we will move in and want him that much more. For some women, I do think that may work. But for a majority of us, it makes us just as unconfident and confused as you are right now. As I wrote in the earlier answer, we want you to want us – not have a wandering eye or give us the insecurity that you could just walk away at any time and be fine with it.

I know it is forward, and not always in our nature as women, but if you really want to know where things might lead, sounds like you need to take some action. You can ask him out on a date. I know that can be hard for many of us and against our “dating programming”, but as the saying goes “You never know unless you try.” He may say no. He may be intimidated. It may make things awkward for a while. But you know what? You will definitely know and can stop wondering. And, honestly, do you really want someone who isn’t really into you or is intimidated by who you are? If that is something you just cannot do, a more subtle approach may be to step up your flirting. I’m not the best at flirting myself, so my tips are limited. But I do know that guys take active cues much better than smaller, non-verbal ones. Flipping the hair and batting the eyes may be great, but they can also be open to interpretation. Try when you are talking to touch his arm. Or find an opportunity to put your hand on his chest and look him in the eye. Give him the opportunity to know that you are interested and that if he makes a move, he won’t be shot down. After all, the flirting dance is mainly just a routine to avoid possible rejection, isn’t it? Remember, a stand-off has to happen by someone “backing” down first. Whether it is you or him that makes the move, it is much easier to do so when you feel like reciprocation is possible. Hopefully, the answer will be what you are looking for.

I’ll be back again soon, but feel free to ask away – I love answering questions and hearing your suggestions: SexInBmore@gmail.com and follow me on my blog, Tumblr, and Twitter.

Bmore punk/trash/rock-a-killy band Murder will be celebrating their new album drop on Sat. night at Golden West. The group, Adam Savage, Dan O, Noel Conrad (of Lady Piss etc..) and Ray Peters are one of the few Bmore punk acts that have their shit together. Their lyrics are tight and fucking mean something and Savage’s voice has a classic sound that we can’t really put our finger on, but it’s great.
But don’t take our word for it. Blast this at work and piss people off.

The show also includes DOUBLE NEGATIVE a hardcore confusion punk band that began in January 2006 by singer KC, bassist Kamph Tapes, drummer Walsby, and guitarist Epic Warfare. They are signed on Sorry State Records. We’ve toured in and around the East US coast & the middle part too, Toronto, England, Holland, Belgium und Germany. Give them a listen:

IMPATIENT OUT

Tix here: http://sonartoo.thundertix.com/orders/new?performance_id=83933
(our links are down for some reason. Please cut and paste for a bit. Thanks, the Managament)

Norwich-based folk singer/songwriter Jess Morgan has turned to fans for support in a bid to get her second album released.

Having already gained momentum with her kitchsy folk-pop and stellar support slots alongside Ellen & The Escapades and First Aid Kit, Jess Morgan is looking to raise money in order to allow her to independently release her forthcoming effort Aye Me in March.

Jess’ “Pledge Music” campaign allows fans to buy a whole range of things online from exclusively hand-crafted items made by Jess herself, house gigs all over the UK and Europe and pre-order her new album in digital, CD or homemade cassette form in a bid to raise cash.

Here’s hoping in today’s credit crunch epidemic, music fans can dig a little deeper for the sake of folk ‘n’ roll!

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/jessmorgan

Nottingham-based quintet Dog Is Dead look set to continue their success of 2011 and are proud to present forthcoming single ‘Two Devils’.

2011 saw Dog Is Dead release an EP of self-released singles, appear in hit TV series ‘Skins’ and play an array of stellar festival performances throughout the UK last summer.

‘Two Devils’ had its debut play on the Huw Stephen’s show. The track sees Dog Is Dead explore the sinister side of love with a dark tale of a twisted relationship.

The band are scheduled to hit the tour circuit in support of this forthcoming release with a string of shows in February and March including Oxford Academy (19/02), Stoke Sugarmill (24/02), King Tut’s in Glasgow (06/03) and a headline gig at London’s Borderline on 15th March.

‘Two Devils’ is available on 5th March 2012 on Atlantic Records.